C5ISRT & UXV Architect

Location: Ottawa 1 Chrysalis, Canada
In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.
For decades, Ottawa has been a global technology leader. Today, Canada’s capital holds one of the brightest and most diverse technological ecosystems in North America. Voted as Canada’s best place to live 2017 by Maclean's, Ottawa offers a low cost of living with a high quality of life. The Thales Ottawa office has been a major supplier and long-term trusted partner to DND, enabling the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard to achieve mission success.

This position is Hybrid Ottawa, Ontario

C5ISRT and UxV Architect  

Position Summary

The mission of the C5ISRT & UxV Architect is to ensure that the technical policy and strategic plan are well-defined and understood by the project, in line with the business objectives, and implemented accordingly.

You are ready to lead the definition and design of mission-critical systems, driving the future of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) and UxV architectures. You are ready to build professional teams from external partners and internal resources. You can communicate technical solutions to all audiences. You are ready to earn the trust of critical systems operators.

Regulatory Compliance Requirement

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List and/or the US the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Architecture Design & System Engineering

• Define C5ISRT and UXV system architectures (functional, technical, and operational) aligned with customer requirements, NATO/DoD standards, and Thales’ roadmaps.
• Lead trade-off analyses for system components (e.g., sensors, communication links, AI/ML for autonomy, cybersecurity layers).
• Ensure interoperability with legacy systems, allied forces’ platforms, and joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) frameworks.
• Model system-of-systems (SoS) interactions using tools like SysML, UAF, or DoDAF/MoDAF.

UXV & Autonomous Systems Integration

• Specify requirements for unmanned aerial (UAV), ground (UGV), maritime (USV), or underwater (UUV) vehicles within C5ISRT ecosystems.
• Design autonomous behaviors, swarming algorithms, and human-machine teaming (HMT) interfaces.
• Integrate AI/ML for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), target recognition, and decision support.
• Address safety, ethics, and regulatory compliance (e.g., NATO STANAG, ICAO for UAVs).

 C5ISRT Domain Expertise

• Develop tactical data links (e.g., Link 16, VMF, SATCOM), network-centric warfare (NCW) architectures, and resilient communications (e.g., anti-jam, LOWPROB).
• Design cybersecure C2 systems with zero-trust principles, encryption, and anti-tampering measures.
• Optimize sensor fusion (e.g., radar, EO/IR, SIGINT) and data exploitation for real-time situational awareness.

Stakeholder & Program Leadership

• Act as the technical authority in proposals, customer meetings, and gate reviews (e.g., PDR, CDR).
• Align architectures with Thales’ SIX product lines (e.g., HexaForce, CDP, A2C2).
• Support bid teams with cost-benefit analyses, roadmaps, and differentiators vs. competitors.
• Mentor junior architects/engineers on C5ISRT/UXV best practices.

Innovation & R&D

• Scout emerging technologies (e.g., quantum-resistant crypto, 6G for defense, edge AI) for future architectures.
• Contribute to Thales’ R&T programs and collaborative projects (e.g., IDeaS, ISC, NATO DIANE).
• Patent novel solutions in autonomous C2 or resilient networks.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s/PhD in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).

• 10+ years in defense/aerospace system architecture, with 5+ years specializing in C5ISRT or UXV.
• Hands-on experience with MIL-STD, STANAG, or civil-military standards (e.g., STANAG 4607 for UAVs).
• Proven track record in systems engineering tools (e.g., DOORS, Cameo, Capella, MATLAB/Simulink).

Technical Skills:

• C5ISRT domains: C2, ISR, EW, cyber, tactical networks.
• UXV platforms: Autonomy stacks (e.g., ROS, PX4), payload integration, swarming.
• Modeling: SysML, UPDM, or MBSE methodologies.
• Security: Cyber hardening, KEYMAT, or cryptographic systems.

Soft Skills:

• Strategic thinking with ability to translate operational needs into technical solutions.
• Leadership in cross-functional teams (engineering, PMO, customers).
• Excellent communication (technical writing, presentations to senior stakeholders).

Preferred Qualifications

Expertise in at least 5:

• Cybersecurity
• Everything Cloud
• Mobile communications and computing
• Distributed systems
• IP Radios & Networking
• Command and control systems
• Software systems architecture
• Model-based systems engineering
• Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
• Data Science
• Data modeling
• Autonomous systems
• UX principles and methodologies
• Software systems integration
• Software development lifecycle

Special Position Requirements

• Physical Environment:  Hybrid Working – remote and on-site as required
• Travel:  may be required to travel domestically and/or internationally to different Thales and/or customer sites.
• Security: must be able to obtain and hold a valid Canadian security clearance and meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the Canadian Controlled Goods Registration Program and ITAR

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between Total Target Cash (TTC) $145,000 - $180,000 -$210 CAD Annual.

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

We use artificial intelligence–enabled tools as part of our recruitment process to support activities such as candidate discovery, résumé matching, and interview scheduling. These tools may help screen and assess applications and recommend potential matches based on the requirements within the job description.  All hiring decisions, including candidate evaluation, selection, and disposition, are made by human recruiters. Artificial intelligence does not make hiring decisions on our behalf.

Why Join Us?

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Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following: 

• Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.

• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.

• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave. 

• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability.

• Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the Canadian Industrial Security Program, and/or the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization including a Canadian Enhanced Reliability security clearance.